chapter 4- when I enter the hell game

The next morning, Seraphina woke up at 8:00 AM. The sunlight streamed through her curtains, warm and golden, casting long shadows across her room. She stretched, rubbed her eyes, and forced herself out of bed. After a quick breakfast of toast and eggs, she grabbed her bag and headed to school.

The bus ride was quiet. Seraphina stared out the window, watching the trees and buildings pass by. Her mind kept drifting back to the mirror — to her mother's fear, to the shadow she'd seen, to the strange dream with the white-eyed girl. She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away.

On her way to class, she ran into Aurora.

"Seraphina! What section are you in?!" Aurora asked, bouncing with excitement.

"Section B," Seraphina replied flatly.

"Me too! Will you help me on the test?!"

"Never."

"WHAT?! WAIT!" Aurora called after her, but Seraphina was already walking away.

"SO MEAN! BAD FRIEND!" Aurora shouted.

"I don't care," Seraphina called back without turning around.

---

After the exam, the teacher announced, "Tomorrow's test will be at 3:00 PM. Be on time."

Adrian caught up with Aurora and Seraphina in the hallway, his bag slung over one shoulder.

"Hey! How was the test?"

"It was super easy!" Aurora said happily.

"Of course it was," Seraphina said dryly. "Because I helped you."

"Wait, you both sit in the same section?" Adrian asked.

"Yup!" Aurora beamed.

"Lucky..."

Cassia was walking ahead of them, scrolling through her phone. The three of them caught up to her.

"Why do you guys always follow me?" Cassia groaned.

Aurora hugged her dramatically. "BECAUSE YOU'RE OUR SUPER TUTOR!"

"Okay, okay, get off. You guys stink."

"Aurora, you should shower," Adrian teased.

"SHUT UP, POOP!" Aurora yelled.

Seraphina chuckled softly.

"What if we go eat somewhere?" Cassia suggested, pocketing her phone.

"YES!" Aurora agreed.

"Who's paying?" Adrian asked.

"I'll pay. I'll treat you guys," Seraphina offered.

Aurora whispered to Adrian, "Since when did Seraphina become so kind?!"

Adrian whispered back, "I know! This doesn't seem like her!"

Seraphina overheard. "Who said I'm treating you two monkeys? I'm only treating Cassia!"

"WHAT?!" Adrian and Aurora shouted.

Cassia laughed. "She's just joking, you idiots."

---

Later, the group decided to go to the beach. The sun was warm, and the waves crashed gently against the shore. Seagulls cried overhead, and the salty breeze carried the sound of laughter. Adrian splashed water at Aurora, and she shrieked, chasing him into the shallow water. Seraphina watched them, a small smile forming on her face. Cassia sat on the sand, watching the horizon with a peaceful expression.

"Come on, Seraphina!" Aurora called, waving her hand. "Get in the water!"

Seraphina shook her head. "I'm fine here."

But then — for just a moment — the waves stopped.

Everything went silent.

No wind. No sound. No movement. The birds froze mid-flight. The water hung motionless, like a photograph captured in time. Seraphina looked around, confused. No one else seemed to notice. They were still laughing, still splashing, but the world around them had stopped.

The silence lasted only a second.

Then the waves resumed. The wind returned. The noise of laughter filled the air.

Seraphina shook her head and smiled. It must have been her imagination.

But deep down, she knew it wasn't.

---

That evening, Seraphina went home. She ate dinner in silence, her mother watching her with worried eyes. She went to her room and fell asleep.

She woke up at 3:40 PM.

Her eyes shot open. "3:40?! My test was at 3:00!"

She panicked, rushing to get ready. Her hands trembled as she grabbed her brush. She went to the mirror to fix her hair.

"What time is it now?" she whispered.

She looked at the mirror.

And then—